Biodiversity & Ecology · Carbon & Sustainability · Nature Technology

Expert advice for biodiversity, nature and climate

Okala is a specialist consultancy for biodiversity, nature and climate. Our ecologists, sustainability specialists and data scientists deliver work for industry, lenders, governments and conservation organisations, using our own NatureCube technology to deliver better insights at scale.

We have internationally recognised expertise in terrestrial and aquatic ecology, and collaborate with some of the world's leading experts in carbon accounting, plant ecology, genetics and taxonomy to support standards including IFC PS6, TNFD, SBTN and EUDR.

Trusted by global organisations

CBG
Fortescue Belinga
Spiro
The Nature Conservancy
Panthera
Nature+
University of Stirling
Wildlife Conservation Society
Plan Vivo
Environment Bank
FURA
GSEZ
Landlife
ERA
Solen
TBC
CBG
Fortescue Belinga
Spiro
The Nature Conservancy
Panthera
Nature+
University of Stirling
Wildlife Conservation Society
Plan Vivo
Environment Bank
FURA
GSEZ
Landlife
ERA
Solen
TBC

152 publications · Consulting delivered in 25+ countries · NatureCube used by 99 organisations in 35 countries · 1.5 million+ species observations

Why clients choose Okala

Trusted specialists, collaborative delivery.

Approvals, lender reviews and funder reporting all demand evidence that stands up to review. Our specialists design your project around your needs, choose the methods that answer the question, and use our own technology and scientific expertise to deliver transparently, within budget and on time.

  1. Specialists for the standard

    Critical habitat assessments, ESIA baselines and population monitoring to IFC PS6 and lender requirements. TNFD, SBTN and EUDR work for corporate reporting.

  2. The right method

    Field surveys, camera traps, bioacoustics, eDNA, remote sensing or existing data, chosen by our experts to fit the project.

  3. Efficiency, at any scale

    NatureCube lets us deliver to the same standard on a single site or across a whole country or portfolio. With standardised data in one place, our experts can prepare the reports you need with greater transparency and efficiency.

  4. Built around your decision

    Scoped to your deadline and reporting needs, from lender reviews, to grant reporting and disclosure frameworks.

How we work

  1. Phase 1 · Plan

    Frame the question

    1. Understand

      We start with the decision you need to make, the standard it must meet and the deadline you face.

    2. Design

      We design a study that answers that question, choosing the methods that give the strongest evidence for the time and budget available.

  2. Phase 2 · Evidence

    Gather the evidence

    1. Collect

      Our field teams, remote sensing specialists and data scientists gather the data the study needs.

    2. Verify

      Specialists check every record and every AI output before it is used.

  3. Phase 3 · Action

    Advise and support

    1. Interpret

      We turn the data into findings against the relevant standard or framework.

    2. Advise

      Clear recommendations, written for the regulator, lender or board that will read them.

    3. Report

      We stay with you through review, approval and ongoing monitoring.

Our people

We are a diverse team of 50, including ecologists, sustainability specialists, geospatial analysts, data scientists and field staff, working for industry, lenders, governments and conservation organisations. Between us, we have 152 publications.

Dr Robin Whytock

CEO

Dr Jeremy Cusack

Head of Science

Dr David Lehmann

Gabon Country Head

Dr Joe Huddart

Lead Nature Consultant

Dr Natalie Imirzian

Senior Ecological Data Scientist

Innes Christison

Climate and Sustainability Lead

Mili Arora

Deputy Manager, Climate and Sustainability

Nancy Grover

Deputy Manager, Climate and Sustainability

Dr Adam Varley

Head of Technology

Kenny Monteath

Business Head, NatureCube

Dr Edward Salakpi

Senior Remote Sensing & AI Engineer

Cristóbal Salamé-Cano

Senior Data Scientist

Fabrice Mezeme

Field Operations Lead, Gabon

Yannick Fouty

Field Operations Manager, Gabon

Sectors

Sector experience where scrutiny is highest

What our clients say

"We had a fantastic experience working with Okala, who supported us with camera trap surveys, including survey design, image processing and data analysis. They were extremely professional and communicative, delivering tagged images and access to their expert dashboard within a short space of time. We look forward to working with them on future projects."
Olivia Wilson-Holt
Olivia Wilson-Holt
Zoological Society of London, Human-Wildlife Coexistence Projects Manager
ZSL
"We have had a great experience working with Okala. The process has been constructive and efficient. We have appreciated the collaborative nature of the work and the level of expertise from the Okala team. It has been great to work with a like-minded team who share our values."
Robyn Morland
Robyn Morland
Director, ACES
ACES
"We greatly appreciated Okala's ability to adapt to the specific demands of the mining industry. Their flexibility and responsiveness enabled the timely delivery of key project components. The dashboard training session was very well received by our client, and the platform itself has proven to be an effective tool for visualizing the results of camera-trap monitoring. We look forward to continuing and expanding our collaboration with Okala."
Osiris Doumbe
Osiris Doumbe
Consultant, The Biodiversity Consultancy
The Biodiversity Consultancy
"This was an ambitious project where we could put AI to the test at very large scales. Okala's data platform allowed us to verify AI outputs and rapidly interact with the data using the intuitive interface."
Dr Vittoria Estienne
Dr Vittoria Estienne
Conservation Scientist, WCS Congo
Wildlife Conservation Society
"Okala's expert gap analysis and guidance have greatly advanced Fura's progress towards reaching our sustainability goals. Their professionalism and insight into biodiversity and carbon management exceeded our expectations."
Dr Donald Bray
Dr Donald Bray
CSO, FURA
FURA
"Okala delivered cutting edge biodiversity, carbon and social baselines to understand how a 300,000 ha forestry concession in Gabon could be managed for sustainable development."
Sylvie Boldrini
Sylvie Boldrini
ESG General Manager, GSEZ
GSEZ
"Minimising biodiversity impact is an increasing challenge for our sector. Okala provided unrivalled transparency and reporting for our early-stage industrial project in Rwanda."
Arnab Bose
Arnab Bose
Managing Director, BSEZ
Bugesera Special Economic Zone
"Okala delivered high-quality biodiversity baselines in just six months using eDNA, bioacoustics and camera traps. Their work will allow us to calculate the biodiversity value of the forest to inform land-management."
Prof. Katharine Abernethy
Prof. Katharine Abernethy
Professor in Tropical Ecology, University of Stirling
University of Stirling

Frequently asked questions